Chicago based architects, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill in conhjunction with Adam Smith has achieved the feat of designing the largest skyscraper in Dubai. This is not a small feat as there are many other large buildings in the rapidly growing city. However, this one is about half a mile high and although the exact heigh has not been revealed, it is definitely the tallest tower and can certainly be seen and admired from all over the city.

The building has come at a difficult financial time and is meant to be a national icon, representing the greatness of the city, despite the debts that Dubai has now accumulated. It is certainly a great design, tall and thin and looking more like a typical skyscraper than many of the other buildings in the city. Many have seen it as a modern day version of the tower of babel but others have criticised the unadventurous design. The building has six sides and is made of concrete, steel and glass mainly and reflects the sky.

The building will house hotels, apartments, offices and an observatory which of course is the worlds highest and tallest lookout point. However, its success will depend on whether anyone will be able to afford to use this spectacular building and with the building opening on Monday and the observation tower opening to the public on Tuesday, only time will tell as to whether this will be the great icon that it promises to be.